Women&#39;s shoes with lift-off top showcase for interchangeable designer inserts

ABSTRACT

Women&#39;s shoes with a lift-off top showcase for interchangeable designer inserts, where the showcase is attached to a strip which is disposed directly above and is longitudinally aligned along a center of a sole of said shoe, and where an upper end of said strip is attached at a first attachment point on a strap which encircles an upper portion of a woman&#39;s ankle, and a lower end of said strip is attached at a second attachment point at a forefoot retaining band located at a forefoot portion of the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fashion shoes and sandals for women. More particularly, the invention relates to shoes and sandals which are provided with means to alter the decorative appearance thereof so as, if desired, to selectively change the appearance of the shoes or sandals or to match in design the fashion statement made by the other clothing of the woman wearing such shoes or sandals, in stabilized constructs.

2. Description of Prior Art

For countless years women's shoes and sandals have been an integral part of the fashion statement made through the entire ensemble of clothing worn by women. For the most part, the matching by fashion conscious women of outer clothing components and shoes and sandals in color and/or design has required a specific pair of shoes or sandals approximately coordinating the clothing color and/or designs and thereby precluding the wearing of such shoes or sandals with other clothing ensembles. Thus, today's fashion conscious women frequently have to obtain a vast variety of shoes and sandals being worn occasionally with a particular clothing combination. Further, because of the season-to-season and year-to-year changes in women's dress fashions, women's shoes and sandals very often become obsolete long before they have shown use wear. Today's economy requires conservation and reuseables.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide women's shoes and sandals having means for displaying an interchangeable series of fashion design inserts for the topmost portions and straps of such shoes and sandals for color and/or imprint design coordination thereof with the other clothing items of a woman's total clothing ensemble, precisely matched.

It is another object of the invention to provide women's shoes and sandals with means in a topmost portion and straps thereof for inserting, retaining and displaying interchangeable fashion design inserts matching in color and/or design the other clothing items of a woman's total clothing ensemble.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide women's shoes and sandals with transparent pouch means in the upper portions and straps thereof for receiving, retaining, and displaying a variety of interchangeable fashion coordinating inserts of color and/or imprint design matching in color and/or imprint design the other clothing items of a woman's clothing ensemble, in an exact millimeter figured pouch.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide women's shoes and sandals with pouch means in the topmost portions and straps thereof for receiving, retaining and displaying interchangeable fashion inserts bearing fabrics matching in color and/or print or weave designs the color and/or print or weave designs of the fabrics of other clothing items of a woman's clothing ensemble, providing easy in-out access.

Another object of the invention is to provide interchangeable color and/or design inserts for retention and display in transparent pouch areas of the topmost portions and straps of women's shoes and sandals with such inserts matching and coordinated in fashionable array the other clothing items making up a woman's total clothing ensemble, using recycled scraps.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a variety of interchangeable color and/or design inserts for transparent attachable showcases on matched portions and straps for women's shoes and sandals with such inserts matching in fashionable array the variety of clothing items making up a woman's wardrobe and with such attachable-detachable male stud snap-ons around the showcase frame, matched to female stud snap-ins framing the shoes longitudinal strip area of display.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following summary and detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to women's fashion shoes and sandals which are provided with means to quickly and effectively alter the decorative color and design appearance thereof so as, if desired, to selectively change the appearance of the shoes or sandals or to match in coordinating manner the fashion statement made by the variety of clothing of the woman wearing such shoes or sandals. In accordance with the invention women's shoes and sandals are provided in their visible upper and/or strap areas with pouch means for receiving, retaining and displaying interchangeable fashion design inserts. The pouch means are comprised of an outer layer of transparent plastic film material of appropriate configuration intimately affixed to the visible sandal top strap areas or with an attach/detach vinyl showcase of exact aligned stud snap-ons.

Each pouch or showcase means is provided with an opening through which the interchangeable fashion design inserts may be placed within the pouch and retained therein by frictional proximity of the transparent plastic film material or by insert retaining pouch closure means. Pouch or showcase closure means may include Velcro hook and loop strips, heat molded tongue and groove strips, button-type snap fasteners, or tuck-in folds of the film material. A preferred transparent film material is lightweight gauge durable vinyl plastic film. However, other plastic film material may be utilized in construction of shoe and sandal pouch areas. Such film materials may be sewn into the shoe and sandal structures at appropriate connections or may be otherwise appropriately framed by the leather or fabric to provide abutment side guides for insert arrays entry and subsequent firm lodging within the affixed pouch or detachable showcase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top right front perspective view of a woman's gladiator style sandal with means, in accordance with the present invention, for displaying via a topmost upper designed insert array pouch for interchangeable inserts presenting a multiplicity of decorative fashion designs:

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the woman's gladiator style sandal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 a is an enlarged transverse section view of the designer insert pouch of the sandal of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 b is an enlarged section view of a longitudinal portion of the designer detachable showcase of the sandal of FIG. 2 taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 2;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to the FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a woman's multi banded gladiator style shoe and the invention. FIG. 1. Comprises a top right perspective view of a woman's gladiator style sandal 10 having a topmost designer insert array pouch or showcase for receiving interchangeable inserts presenting a multiplicity of decorative fashion designs for coordinating the fashion statement made by the wearer's entire clothing and sandal ensemble. The sandal 10 is comprised of a sole member 12, including a forefoot portion 12 a and a heel portion 12 b, a heel member 14, a forefoot retaining band 16, instep retaining straps 16 a and 16 b, a rear foot retaining portion 18, buckled ankle wrap straps 18 a and 18 b, and as shown a lifted back heel portion 20 that positions the buckled ankle wrap straps 18 a and straps 18 b further stabilizing the top entry pocket of the insert array pouch or showcase member 8 longitudally interconnecting with the buckled ankle wrap straps 18 a and 18 b that goes through a back slit 22 a, pulls out and goes across the top ankle of the wearer's foot and buckles on the outer side. Member 8 then intercoinnects with instep straps 16 a and 16 b, that then interconnects with the forefoot retaining band or strap 16, ending at that juncture.

It is obvious that all the cross straps or bands can be equipped with buckles as shown on 18 a and 18 b, affording a separate showcase that, instead of being permanently interconnected, is interconnected by slipping the openable straps through a back slit or channel opening behind the showcase. As shown with ankle straps 18 a or 18 b, pulled through 22 a that then buckles the longitudal member into the exact same location as shown.

The forefoot retaining band 16 of sandal 10 is approximately affixed by known means at its outer end portion and instep end portion 16 a and 16 b to the outer edges of the forefoot portion 12 a of sole member 12. The rear foot retaining portion is appropriately affixed by known means at its outer anchor end portion 18.

As an integral unit the insert array pouch of showcase member 8 of the sandal 10 is affixed to the ankle strap 18 a and 18 b and forefoot band 16 and instep strap 16 a and 16 b, and in one embodiment is fabricated as illustrated. Pouch member 8 includes an upper transparent of sheet plastic material and a lower layer of shoe fabrication material.

As shown in FIG. 1 the designer insert 11 is comprised of an insert backing piece or insert blank 8 b, see FIG. 11 a, to which is affixed designer material coordinated as to color and/of printed or woven design with the clothing items to be worn with the sandal 10.

The designer material may be affixed to the backing piece 8 b by any appropriate preferred transparent film including but not limited to, adhesives, iron-on and pressure sensitives, depending upon the nature of what is to be made integral with the insert blank. Do it yourself customizations, if kept wafer thin, see FIG. 11 a, can include but are not limited to; paintings, sewings, stitchings, appliqué sew-ons, ribbons or salvaged vintage or sew basket scraps as all are combinable medium on the designer piece with minimum effort and maximum displayable results.

In FIG. 11 a there is illustrated via and enlarged transverse section view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 1 of the designer insert and pouch or showcase. The structure of the insert array pouch member 8 is maintained by edge stitching 8 e which if permanently affixed extends through the edge of spacer member 8 d and affixes the peripheral edge of the upper transparent layer 8 a to the peripheral edge of the lower layer 8 c and extends through the rolled edge portions 8 c of the upper layer 8 a.

Shown is a picture frame effect of the insert array pouch member 8 through its inwardly projecting peripheral edge portion which overlays the edges of the designer insert seated within the pouch. This double edge frame 8 c which wraps over, around and under the edge portion of both sides of the top vinyl pouch member, also has a precise millimeter less of underside framing to functionally abut and guide in the side edges of the insert arrays and disguise/mask any raw cut insert material edges, as the edges will be covered with a precise measure more of upper-side finished framing in this precisely layered pouch. It also separates the layers thereby providing the exact space space within the pouch member for interchangeable insertion and retraction of the designer insert.

Since the topmost pouch or showcase are only connected to the parts that are in turn anchored to the shoe sole foot action, it is largely stress free. This topmost positioning further stabilizes the insert array area that rides above the major foot action when in motion.

As shown in FIG. 11 a the pouch 8 can be closed by an insertable end flap 8 g of the transparent upper layer 8 a of lighterweight gauge plastic sheet material. This end of the insert pouch provides the pouch opening means for insertion and withdrawal of the available variety of designer inserts 8 b. When well positioned gravitationally, insert arrays need not be closed off as frictional engagement will suffice. However, aforementioned closures listed on page 5 are available.

FIG. 13 a is an alternative vinyl centered detached male stud snap-on top layer 8 f of the insert array showcase, that replicates the features of FIG. 11 a, 8 a-8 d as shown, and also replicates the shape of the attached 8 f female stud snap-ons topmost shoe material display area, 13 b, and is easily mountable at each male/female snap together as shown. This totally seperate showcase affords pre-loading of the decorative insert array prior to its mounting onto the main shoe body 10. This alternative can also have open back whose total showcase enclosure is achievable only when attached. Mounting methods can include stud snap-ons, FIG. 2, or buckles FIG. 1 as pre-shown, or pressure sensitive releaseable fixatives, so long as they hold fast and can be easily removed. Novelty outer shaped frame vinyl pouches and showcases are also feasible.

Well known variations of the gladiator style includes any number of thin or thick multi-strapped forefoot and instep and rear foot and ankle strap areas or conversely fewer straps, and with or without rear heel portions. Heels can vary from flats to wedgies or platforms to the stiletto height as shown.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and alterations of such embodiments as to form, structure and materials will occur to others skilled in the art upon their reading and understanding of this specification. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention includes all such modifications and alterations, and equivalents thereof, being limited only by the scope of the following pre-qualified claim:

-   -   The ornamental design for insert array shoes and sandals and a         detachable showcase substantially as shown and described. 

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A woman's shoe comprising: an interchangeable fashion design insert, wherein said insert is present within a showcase member, wherein a strip, which comprises said showcase member when a woman is wearing the shoe, is attached at an upper end to a first attachment point where at least one strap is adapted to encircle an upper portion of a woman's ankle, and said strip is attached at a lower end to a second attachment point at a forefoot retaining band located at a forefoot portion of said shoe, wherein said strip extends from said first attachment point to said second attachment point in a manner such that said strip interconnects and is suspended between said first attachment point and said second attachment point, so that said strip comprising said showcase member is disposed directly above and is longitudinally aligned along a center of a sole of said shoe, wherein said interchangeable fashion design insert is stabilized and maintained in a given position within said showcase member due to frictional and gravitational forces when said woman walks in said shoe; and wherein an upper, top portion of said showcase member is attachable to an upward facing surface of said strip, wherein said top portion of said showcase member is attached to said upward facing surface of said strip by a plurality of fasteners, where a first mating portion of said fasteners is present on said top portion of said showcase member and a second mating portion of said fasteners is present on said strip, and wherein said top portion of said showcase member includes a transparent plastic sheet material through which said interchangeable fashion insert is visible.
 19. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 18, wherein said fasteners comprise male or female stud snap ons positioned around edges of said top portion of said showcase member with mating female or male stud snap ons positioned around the edges of said strip.
 20. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 19, wherein said male stud snap ons are positioned around edges of said least a portion of said showcase member.
 21. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 18, wherein a framing layer of material is used in combination with said transparent sheet material, to frame a fashion insert which is placed within said showcase, and to stabilize said fasteners positioned around said edges of said layer of transparent plastic sheet material.
 22. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 18, wherein at least one additional sparsely placed narrow strap in the form of an inset strap is present in an instep area of said show and also attached to said strip comprising said showcase member, thereby further stabilizing said showcase member.
 23. A woman's show in accordance with claim 21, where said fashion design insert is sufficiently rigid that it is easily placed within an area outlined by said male or female fasteners.
 24. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 21, wherein said top portion of said showcase member includes said transparent sheet of plastic material framed with a layer of stabilizing material, and said upper surface of said strip forms a backside of said showcase member when said top portion of said showcase member is fastened in place against said strip.
 25. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 23, wherein said stabilizing layer of material which is framing said area of display is sized to frame a fashion design insert such that raw cut edges of said insert are covered when said showcase member is fastened in place over said strip.
 26. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interchangeable fashion design insert is flexibly stiffened so that it will not crimp due to a woman's walking in said shoe.
 27. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 18, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 28. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 19, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 29. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 20, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 30. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 21, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 31. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 22, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 32. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 23, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 33. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 24, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 34. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 25, wherein said shoe is a sandal.
 36. A woman's shoe in accordance with claim 26, wherein said shoe is a sandal. 